Rome: Pope Francis celebrates Feast of St Ignatius with Jesuits

At Jesuit General Curia

Pope Francis celebrated the Feast of Saint Ignatius yesterday by making a surprise visit for dinner at the Jesuit General Curia, which is located on the Borgo Santa Spirito just outside of Vatican City. The Holy Father arrived in his Ford Focus, and greeted several passers-by outside the front door of the offices of the Jesuit Curia before going inside.

In a statement the Jesuits said the visit was completely private, and simple. The Pope joined the community for the meal in the refectory, then in the recreation room for coffee, and a chance to greet each person individually.

The statement added that the seven brothers and sisters of Fr Paolo Dall’Oglio, the Jesuit kidnapped in Syria one year ago, were guests at the meal. Pope Francis consoled them with words of comfort. Also at the meal were a group of Jesuit scholastics belonging to EJIF (European Jesuits in Formation). They are in Rome for a few weeks for their annual gathering at the Jesuit General Curia.

During the visit Pope Francis toured the facility, and prayed in the chapel. After dinner he left through the Curia’s back garden.

Last year, Pope Francis marked the feast of St Ignatius by celebrating Mass with the Jesuits at the Church of the Gesù, the mother church of the order.

Source: VIS/SJ

For more information see: www.sjweb.info/